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We Will Enforce S’Court Verdict on LG Autonomy – Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the national assembly will enforce the Supreme Court’s verdict granting financial autonomy to local government areas (LGAs).
Eko Hot Blog reports that the apex court ruled that the federal government should directly pay allocations to local government councils from the federation account and that it could withhold allocations from LGs governed by unelected officials.
Speaking with reporters at the presidential villa on Thursday, Akpabio stated that the verdict would facilitate real elections at the local government level.
“It is a great thing that the supreme court has done the needful and now we have to go back and think, working with the AGF’s office and the parliament to see how we can ensure that there is real election at the LG levels,” the senate president said. “I think once that is done, everybody will have confidence,” he added.
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Akpabio also praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
“Recall that the request was placed before the courts by the AGF because the FG, through President Bola Tinubu, feels strongly about separation of powers and the need for autonomy of all arms of government,” he added.
“And so for us in the legislature, the Supreme Court has spoken and we have no option than to abide by the Supreme Court ruling.”
He called on all states of the federation to respect the Supreme Court’s decision and indicated that the legislature would work on ensuring full implementation. “Because you know the words of the Supreme Court are like the words of the king. They cannot go down to the ground without implementation.”
Akpabio emphasized the importance of impartial elections at the local government level to encourage participation from all political parties.
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